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Raising a glass to Cobby

A widow has raised over £10,000 for two good causes in memory of her late husband Christopher.

Diane Cobb, 55, from Baxenden, said she is shocked to have raised so much money after hosting ‘Cobby’s fun day’ at the Alma Inn following the death of her husband in May.

Christopher, known as Cobby to his friends, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May 2015 – and died almost three years to the day from the diagnosis.

The money raised from the fun day, organised while Christopher was undergoing treatment, was split equally between Macmillan Cancer Support and East Lancashire Hospice, who supported the former Senator transport manager during his final months.

Tragically, just weeks after Christopher died, his sister Ann passed away, and Diane’s father was taken ill after Christopher’s funeral.

Diane said: “We have had a tough year. We would have been lost without Macmillan and East Lancashire Hospice. I could not have asked for better care for Christopher. Without their support he wouldn’t have been able to have his final wish to die at home.

“All this is in memory of my husband – and it makes me feel like I’m giving something back.”

Diane, who has four children and five grandchildren, handed over a cheque to the charities on Saturday at the Alma Inn – with extra fundraising events in the evening. She already has plans to make the fun day an annual event.

“I didn’t think I would raise that much and we only started planning for it the month before. We have lots of things in the pipeline already ahead of next year’s event. We want to make it an annual event in his memory.

“My friends and family have been amazing and we have had a lot of support from the community - especially when they see where the money is going.”

Diane said: “He would have been as chuffed as punch at how much we’ve raised. We are on a mission now and hopefully we will be able to double it next time. I just keep telling myself ‘this is for you Christopher, Ann, dad, and thousands like you.”